FetterGroup Acquires First XL 75 Anicolor Press

LOUISVILLE, KY—FetterGroup is the first U.S. company to purchase a new Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 75 Anicolor press in a seven-color configuration with aqueous coater. The 29˝ press will be used in the production of uniquely sized decorative labels for FetterGroup’s list of clients in highly regulated markets. The company also provides services to the distilled spirits, wine, health care and specialty consumer packaged goods industries.

“Labels are a significant part of FetterGroup’s overall business,” said Ted Hagler, executive vice president of operations. “Over time, we’ve seen our average sheet count fall and our waste increase. It wasn’t a sustainable proposition. Existing alternative production platforms don’t favor the full scope of the work we do, and when we factored in all of the product requirements, economics and unique needs, we knew we had to look in a different direction.”

The company works primarily with 60- and 70-lb. one-side coated, C2S and metallized stocks. It had been quality-testing Heidelberg’s small-format Speedmaster XL 52 Anicolor, but needed the medium-sized format of the XL 75 to accommodate the size and quantity of the labels it runs.

According to Hagler, the new press not only offers the color advantages of its smaller counterpart, but will enable FetterGroup to run multiple-up forms and increase productivity. The company also anticipates the XL 75 with Anicolor inking will cut its set-up times and waste percentages.